How to Fix Squeaky Floors

Squeaky floors might prevent people from sneaking up on you, but they can also create annoying sounds that can be so loud that your midnight snack run wakes up everyone in the house.

Whether your squeak is in the stairs or somewhere on the floor, there are some fast fixes that can help you stop the squeaks in just minutes.

Here are some of the best options available to you so that you will know how to fix squeaky floors.

1. Install Screws That Are Designed to be Squeak Free

For most flooring options, the squeaking sounds occur because the boards of the stairs or lose. Installing screws that are specifically designed not to squeak will help to draw those boards tighter to the joists or the stairs to the stringers.

The heads of the screws are designed to break off with the squeaks free options to create a permanent fix.

This means they can be installed directly through carpet as well. If it is a wood floor, use a wax filler that matches the color of the floorboards.

2. Strengthen Your Floor Joists

Sometimes it isn't the floor that is causing the problem.

The joists can squeak because of gaps that begin to form thanks to the natural settling process that most homes endure.

By fastening a piece of wood between the floor and the gap that has developed, you'll be able to get the joist and the subfloor in constant contact with each other once again.

3. Hardwood Flooring Can Start to Get Loose

Hardwood floors can create their own squeaks and fixing them from below just as an option.

You'll need to fix them from the surface. To do this, get some finishing nails and drive one nail into the floor at a 45° angle where the squeak is.

Take a second nail and drive it at the same angle, but from the opposite direction, on the other side of the squeak.

Fill the holes that are created with wood filler that matches your hardwood flooring and the problem should be fixed.

4. Squeaks and Carpeted Floors Can Be Problematic

The easiest way to fix a squeak and a carpeted floor is to slice a small hole into the carpet webbing that's just above the squeak with a sharp utility knife.

Peel the carpet back and places screw through the floor and into the subfloor to tighten it up.

You'll then need to affix the carpet back to the floor and this will cover the head of the screw that you just installed.

5. Slide The Shim Into Place

Sometimes the gaps between the flooring and the joist are quite small, but it still creates a squeak.

If this happens, just apply construction adhesive to a wooden shim and fit it in between the gap that is formed.

This will fix the squeak.

Fixing a squeaky floor can often be done in just minutes. Use these tips and you'll be able to have a silent home once again.

Posted on Dec 10, 2014

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